As we move through 2026, the aviation industry continues its critical transformation phase, balancing capacity growth, sustainability targets and passenger experience like never before. For airports and aviation stakeholders, success increasingly hinges on terminal optimisation, airside efficiency, integration of Net Zero goals, digital innovation and enhanced traveller experiences. Here’s a look at what’s shaping the industry this year.
With just one month to go until PTE World 2026, the countdown is officially on.
AiQ is pleased to confirm that our CEO, Adrian Todd, will be attending PTE World 2026 and will be based at the British Aviation Group stand (E135) on 17–18 March, alongside key members of the AiQ team.
We are delighted to share that AiQ have been shortlisted for the Aviation Sustainability and Environment Award at the upcoming Aviation Industry Awards UK. This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence of our entire team at AiQ.
Due to take place at the Park Plaza London Riverbank on 9 September, the Aviation Industry Awards UK recognise and celebrate the achievements of all UK aviation stakeholders, from airlines and airports to cutting-edge manufacturers and innovative suppliers. We are thrilled to be recognised for our contribution to Heathrow’s and Menzies sustainability targets through our work on their Zero Emission Vehicle transition planning and GSE fleet electric replacement strategy.
Congratulations to our fellow finalists, we’re looking forward to the results in September! The shortlist can be viewed here.
This year’s International Women’s Day campaign theme is Accelerate Action, focusing on the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality. At the current rate of progress, it will take until 2158, roughly five generations from now, to reach full gender parity, according to data from the World Economic Forum.
In support of #IWD2025 we want to recognise and celebrate women’s achievements to raise awareness of gender equality, particularly in the workplace. That’s why we are incredibly proud to highlight a few of the talented women who are part of our team at AiQ.
We spoke with them about their experiences as women in aviation, and they gave us their insights and advice for other women aspiring to enter the industry.
We are delighted to share that AiQ have been shortlisted for the Aviation Sustainability and Environment Award at the upcoming Aviation Industry Awards UK. This recognition reflects the hard work, dedication and excellence of our entire team at AiQ.
Due to take place at the ICC in Birmingham on 17 September, the Aviation Industry Awards UK recognise and celebrate the achievements of all UK aviation stakeholders, from airlines and airports to cutting-edge manufacturers and innovative suppliers. We are thrilled to be recognised for our contribution to Heathrow’s Sustainability and Carbon programme and the wider Net Zero movement.
Congratulations to our fellow finalists, we’re looking forward to the results in September! The shortlist can be viewed here.
The aviation industry is now four years on from the pandemic and airports and stakeholders have moved on from worries about demand with their focus now pivoting back to the long-standing issue of capacity. One of our priorities at AiQ is helping airports with the challenges this issue brings and consulting with their planning and operational teams so that they can effectively manage capacity issues over the next few years and capitalise on the return to and surpassing of pre-pandemic passenger levels.
So what will drive capacity over the next 5 years? Our observations are that the following factors will be significant:
Last week some of the AiQ team attended and contributed to a HAL Clean Vehicles Partnership (CVP) event which highlighted Heathrow’s plans for EV charging installations and the transition strategy.
Our new recruit Airport Planner Jaime Castiblanques, pictured far left below, recently attended PTExpo 2024 for the first time. We asked him for his impressions of the world renowned airport terminal conference.
As the financial year draws to a close, we reflect on another eventful 12 months and also take a look forward to what’s in store for the aviation industry.
AiQ are very proud to be named as winners of the SME Net Zero award at the Heathrow Supplier Awards 2023. AiQ provide aviation consultancy including operations, optimisation and modelling to Heathrow and this industry accolade recognises and celebrates their efforts in helping to achieve Heathrow’s strategic aims and their plan for sustainable growth Heathrow 2.0.
We have recently conducted surveys of passengers arriving at check-in at a number of UK airports and there is a discernible trend for passengers arriving much earlier. Why is this?
We are putting it down to Flight Anxiety post-COVID and also related to Brexit.
In our previous blog we identified that in 2024 Airport Capacity Planning will once again be an issue for Airport Operations for the first time since the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. In 2024 passenger volumes are predicted to recover to 2019 levels.
While Demand Forecast Planning has not gone away in that period, indeed it has been a constant and very challenging process used to anticipate changing passenger/cargo volumes, it will come into sharp focus as airports once again work at their limits of capacity. It therefore seems timely for Airports to re-evaluate this fundamental process to check it is fit for purpose.
